Expt.No.

08 Solar Cell Date: 2I-04-2021

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Aim: To study the 1-V characteristics of solar cell and determine fill
factor and efficiency.

Apparatus: Solar cell, light source, variable load, mili-voltmeter, micro-

ammeter, etc.

Prior Concepts: Photo voltaic Effect, Solar cell

Circuit Diagram:

HA

Light

mV R

Theory:
The direct conversion of solar energy by means of the photovoltaic
effect, that is, the conversion of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) into
electricity. The photovoltaic effect is defined as the generation of an
electromotive force as a result of the absorption of ionizing radiation (later
explained in detail). Energy conversion devices which are used to convert
sunlight to electricity based on the photovoltaic effect are called solar cells. A
single converter cell is called a solar cell or, more generally, a photovoltaic
cell, and combination of such cells; designed to increase the electric
power
output is called solar module or solar array.
The photovoltaic effect can be observed in nature in a variety of
materials, but the materials that have shown the best performance in
sunlight are the semiconductors. When photons lrom the sun are absorbed
in a semiconductor, they create free electrons with higher energies than the
electrons which provide the bonding in the base crystal. Once these
electrons are created, there must be an electric field to induce these
energy electrons to flow out of the semiconductor to do useful work. The
higher
electric field in most solar cells is provided by a junction of materials which
have different electrical properties.

Page 32: Journal of Engineering Physics

Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering. Nigdi, Pune-44
 To obtain a useful power output from photon interaction in a semi
conductor three processes are required.
1. The photons have to be absorbed in the active part of the material and
result in electrons being excited to a higher energy potential.
2.The electron hole charge carriers created by the absorption must be
physically separated and moved to the edge of the cel.
3.The charge carriers must be removed from the cell and delivered to a
useful load before they loose their extra potential.
For completing the above processes, a solar cell consists of:
(a) Semi-conductor in which electron hole pairs are created by absorption
of incident solar radiation.
and
(b) Region containing a drift field for charge separation,
electrodes.
(c) Charge collecting front and back
The photo-voltaic effect can be described easily for p-n junction in
semi-conductor. In this junction after the photons are absorbed, the free
electrons of the n-side will tend to flow to the p-side, and the holes of p-side
will tend to flow to the
n-region to compensate for their respective
deficiencies. This diffusion will create an electric field Er from the n-region to
reaches equilibrium for Ve, the
the p-region. This field will increase until it
holes and electrons.
sum of the diffusion potentials for

NGATIVE CONTACTS

CURRENT COLLECTION

GRID (METAL FINGERS

LOAD

0.2 um N- REGION

P-REGION
300um
DIFFUSED LAYER
BASE MATERIAL
METAL CONDUCTOR

semiconductor materials
contacts are made with the two
If electrical the
an external electrical conductor,
and the contacts a r e connected through the
material through the conductor to
free electron will flow from the n-type the
material as shown in the figure.
Here the free electrons will enter
p-type thus both free electrons and
holes wil
holes and become bound electrons; external conductor
of electrons through the
be removed. The flow free
electric current which will continue as long as m o r e
constitutes an the basis
the solar radiation. This is
electrons and holes are being
formed by
that is, the conversion of solar energy into
of photovoltaic conversion, semiconductors thus
combination of n-type and p-type
electrical energy. The

Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering.Nigdi, Pune-44

33: Journal of Engineering Physics
Page
constitutes a photovoltaic (PV) cell or solar cell. All such cells generate direct
current which can be converted into alternating current if desired.

Parameters of the solar cell:

Short circuit current Isc: It is a definite non-zero current obtained for zero
applied voltage under short circuit conditions. It is proportional to the
intensity of incident radiation

Open circuit voltage Voc: It is the e.m.f. obtained across the open
terminals of the cell under short circuit conditions. No current flows through
the circuit.
Fill factor f: fill factor (Vm.Im) / =
(Voc.Isc)
The product VocxIsc is the theoretical maximum power or ideal power
available from the cell.
However, in practice the maximum power delivered by the cell is given byy
Vm. Im, which can be found from the characteristics.

Learning Objectives:
A. Intellectual Skills:
1. To understand the I-V characteristic of solar cell
2. To understand the effect of variation of resistance on solar cell voltage
3. Interpret the result

B.Motor Skills:
1. To make electrical connection according to circuit diagram
2. To develop ability to observe and record correct reading
3. To develop ability to plot the graph

Proce dure:
1. Connect the circuit, as shown in the circuit diagram and get it checked.
2. Start increasing the load (RL) and at selected voltage steps measure
current. Take maximum possible readings for graph. Take the readings
up to maximum load and record in the observation table.
3. Calculate the values of power and resistance
4 Plot the graph of, I Vs V. Draw a smooth curve from the points plotted.
Extend the curve upto x and y axes as per the nature of the curve. We
get the points Isc and Voc.
5. Draw perpendicular from Isc and Voc, we get a point (Isc, Voc). Draw a line
joining origin (0,0) and the point (1sc.Voc). This line cuts the graph at
point (m, Vm). Draw perpendiculars from point (lm, Vm) on x and y axes.
WE get the points Im and Vm.
6. Record Im, Vm, lsc, and Voc from the graph in the observations.
7. Plot the graph of P Vs R and record the value of resistance for maximum
workable power.

Page 34 :Journal of Engineering Physics Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Nigdi, Pune-44
Graphs:
1.Graph of I Vs V

Isc ,(Voc, lse)

Im - - - - Pmax

(0,0)
Vm Voc
2. Graph of P Vs R

Pmax

R (at max workable Power) R-

Page 35 : Journal of Engineering PhysicS Pimpri Chinch wod Colege of Engineering. Nigdi, Pune 44
olinge
 Observation Table:
Obs. Voltage Current(1) Power Resistance
No.
(V) (P)= VI
(R)
01 O.14 80 11.2 1.15
02
1.32 76 100-32 17.37
03 2.02 72 145.4 28.06
04 2. 47 6& 167-9 36.32
05
2.78 64 177 9 4342
06
2 98 60 178.8 49.67
07 3.12 56 174.72 S5.71
08
3.21 52 466.92 6113
09
3 3 158 4 G8-15
10
3.34 146 96 15 91
11
3.42 40 136& 85.5
12 125: 28 96-67
3 48 36
13
3 52 32 112.64 110
14 3.56 28 99. 68 127.14
15 3.6 24 86 4 150
16 3.62 2.0 72.4 181
17
16 S8.4 228 13
3 65
18
3 68 12 44-16 306.67
19
3.1 8 29.16 432 5
20 3 13 14.9 932 5

Observations from graph:

1. Open circuit vol tage (Voc) =0.002992

2. Short circuit current (Ie) =_O.0012

3. Voltage corresponding to
maximum power (Vm) =_8:44X10
2
4. Current corresponding
to maximum power (Im) 2 X10

Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering.Nigdi, Pune-44

Engineering Physics
Page 36: Journal of
 Calculations:
Fill Factor: O-002g92 x lo0
FF= X X100 oo178 &
O 00178 &

FF=- 59.16%,
Efficiency:
The eficicncy of a solar cell is determined as the fraction of incident power
which is converted to electricity and is defined as:

PmaxVoclscFF
VoclscFF 1.788
Pin
Where:
Voc is the open-circuit voltage;
Ise is the short-circuit current;
FF is the fill factor and
n is the efficiency.

Results:
1. Fill factor of the solar cell
=59. 76
2. Resistance at maximum workable power (from
graph) =13.6Q.
3. Efficiency of solar cell =

1.18 &_

Questions for confirmation of learning

1.
Explain Photoelectric effect.

Remark:
Date & Signature:

Poge 37: Journal of Engineering Physics

Pimpri Chinchwad Colege of
Engineecing. Nigdi, Pune-44

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